Health Sciences Open Award
MSc or PGDip or PGCert
Key facts
Start dates
January 2024 / September 2024
Course length
Full time: MSc: 12 months, Distance learning: 12 months, PGDip: 12 months, PGCert: 6 to 12 months
Part time: depends on the award sought and any credit already attained; maximum of 3 years (Distance Learning 24 months)
Overview
Our MSc Health Sciences Open Award allows you to build a bespoke Master’s degree. You can access a wide range of modules across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and combine these into an MSc pathway. The course offers opportunities for:
- work-based learning
- bringing professional expertise and academic knowledge into dialogue.
We work closely with major charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support. And teaching staff are at the cutting edge of professional development in the sector.
You'll have access to a world-class academic community and invaluable resources, such as the Radcliffe Science Library. Our location gives you access to health care settings with international reputations for excellence and innovation. These include:
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation NHS Trust.
You can gain credits from Oxford Brookes as well as from other recognised institutions. You can also gain credit for projects taken in the workplace.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Entry normally requires a UK/EU first degree or equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution. Subject to approval by Oxford Brookes University, equivalent professional or other qualifications applicable to health and social care can be considered under some circumstances, particularly if you are registered as a health or social care professional.
Evidence of recent study (within the last 5 years) at degree or equivalent level is highly desirable. Students who do not hold a first UK/EU degree or equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution (taken within the last 5 years) OR students who have not studied at degree or equivalent level within the last 5 years will be required to write and submit an assignment which will be taken into account as part of their application.
Six months' experience as a student, employee or volunteer within the health / social care sector (European or International; public, private or voluntary) will normally be required.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
International applications
International students, like home and EU students, must be practising health and social care professionals or have recent experience of working in these sectors.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Application for MSc-HSI Health Sciences Open Award is via our portal.
Along with your application you will be required to submit:
- two references (professional/academic)
- copies of certificates of previous qualifications
- English language qualifications if your first language is not English
- confirmation of funding.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
You will design your own programme of study, please contact us to find out more about how you can design a programme to meet your needs.
Every MSc programme must include research design training. You will also complete a compulsory dissertation or project management report.
Modules taken by current or past students on the MSc Health Sciences include:
- Advanced symptom management
- Applied cancer biology
- Applied research methods
- Communicable diseases and public health
- Death and dying: global perspectives
- Disability: individual and global perspectives
- Epidemiology
- Finance in health & social care
- Human resource management in health and social care
- Leadership in health and social care
- Living with cancer in contemporary society
- Management of minor injuries
- Non-medical prescribing (V300)
- Occupational therapy: new perspectives
- Palliative care for children and their families.
Learning and teaching
At Oxford Brookes, we have made a commitment to student-centred learning. We believe this approach encourages innovation within the practice areas.
We ask you to be proactive as you complete your unique learning journey. Your tutors will facilitate your learning, yet be available.
Your course will build on existing knowledge and skills. There will be many opportunities for academic learning. You'll also further develop your professional practice.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Modules are assessed either by coursework or examination or both. Full details are in the module guides.
We use a variety of assessments to promote independent and reflective learning. Assessment is rigorous, of an appropriate standard and fair. This process is overseen by an external examiner.
You will show that you have achieved the learning outcomes for the module. And for the whole course. We ensure that you understand what learning outcomes are expected of you. And module instructions and marking criteria are clear.
Tasks and questions are set by the module leader. They are moderated internally (checked by another member of staff), and sent to the external examiner.
Research
The course content is underpinned by the research and scholarship activities of the staff in the fields of consultancy, educational development, management education, leadership development, project management, and related clinical fields including health promotion, drugs and alcohol, and clinical trials.
Over the past few years, these researchers have won external research and consultancy contracts including grants, fellowships and studentships for NHS staff. Our research staff collaborate with researchers from across Oxford Brookes University, with researchers from the Institute of Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, and with research teams from many other UK and international centres.
After you graduate
Career prospects
Post-qualifying education in your health or social care field may allow you to take on more senior roles at work, and may improve your prospects and options for promotion and progression.
Further study
Students who successfully complete the award may be able to develop their careers further. A wide range of courses are available at Oxford Brookes for continuing professional development (CPD) including study at postgraduate level.
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.